Like the idea of an employee wellness program but don't know how to start? Enjoy a light lunch and learn from the experience of your peers. Panel includes 3 nonprofits of different sizes sharing their secrets to success.​Click here to register.

Guest Blog by Gail Bennett, Director, Well City Milwaukee Initiative located at the YMCA of Metropolitan MilwaukeeMany of us who work for nonprofits are well familiar with the staggering data: obesity, diabetes and other chronic disease are costing our city, state, nation and organizations billions of dollars in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

On the flip side, we’ve seen the other (more friendly) data: comprehensive worksite wellness programs can produce lasting value on investment over time in the areas of employee engagement, productivity, retention and absenteeism while in turn lowering health risks, and decreasing healthcare and worker’s compensation spending.

A recent and controversial Rand Corporation analysis estimated that for every dollar an employer invested in comprehensive wellness programming, they would see a return of $1.50 in reduced health spending. When considering the added value of investment (VOI) that employers receive as a result of healthier, more engaged and productive employees that number could increase exponentially.

As the worksite wellness landscape evolves, employers are beginning to report that an engaged and productive workforce may bring even greater value to their organization than the reduced health spending. Effective worksite wellness programs can reduce the risk of a lethargic and disengaged employee population.

Nonprofit Employees' Passion Can Lead to Stress, Burnout, Poor Health

In the nonprofit sector, we don’t need to be convinced that people matter. People are the lifeblood of our mission. Engaged, passionate employees who will drive impact in our communities are a necessity to the fulfillment of our organizational goals. These employees are the ones who will keep our funders engaged. They are the ones who will serve as walking billboards for our organization’s brand.

Yet, we can sometimes forget that our employees, the ones who truly care about the community, may overlook their own well-being for the sake of the larger cause. Yikes! Our super-star, ultra-responsible, intrinsically motivated employees can oftentimes become overworked and burned-out for the sake of the mission! Data is now showing that chronic stress can lead to a host of other chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Likewise, overworked and exhausted employees often struggle with engaging community members in the nonprofit mission.

So, how can we help support our employees’ journey to healthy lifestyles and resiliency while at work? How do we start? How much will it cost? Can we afford it and where do we find the resources? What should we do first? Great questions! Join us on Wednesday, November 18, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for Employee Wellness Programs: Real Life Successes. This lunchtime workshop will include real life stories from three nonprofits who have implemented highly engaging employee wellness programs on a shoestring:

Life Navigators, with a staff of more than 20 employees, seeks to improve the quality of life or individuals with developmental and related disabilities. Rebecca Dibb, program manager and volunteer wellness champion, will share how this nonprofit helps employees manage their energy through engaging them in physical fitness and healthy nutrition activities, and how they have managed to weave wellness and particularly stress management and self-care into their daily operations.

Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, with a Milwaukee staff of more than 90 employees, is dedicated to achieving a vision of a healthy society and strong communities for all children, adults and families. Kim Schick, HR manager, will share how they have worked to engage their senior leadership and rally a volunteer team to help design their annual operating plan and weave wellness activities into their operations on a shoestring!

IndependenceFirst provides 20 programs and services to people with disabilities of all kinds. Over 50% of their 1,800+ staff members have disabilities themselves and roughly 1,700 of their staff work remotely. Their robust wellness program started in 2005. Stephanie Chard, wellness coordinator, will share how their team strives to make each and every wellness program accommodating of all employees no matter what the disability or level of engagement with the organization.

These three employers will share firsthand components of their programs, such as walking meetings, stress management care packages, onsite massage, healthy potlucks, benefits and dental provider resources, weekly fruit for employees, senior leadership serving breakfast to staff, dedicated wellness rooms for exercise videos, and more on a shoestring.

There will be ample time for Q&A. Get ready to learn and be inspired! This workshop will be a great way to jump-start your holidays and plan for a healthy 2016. Don’t miss it! Click here to register.